One of my favourite types of blog posts to read is a round-up of links and stories from around the web. Not only is it a great way to find new and useful things to read, but it also means I’ll be able to find the links to those interesting articles later on! With that in mind, here are some items I found interesting this month:

• I used to play those point-and-click escape-the-room games online; now there’s a live action version in Bath (Bath Escape) and two in Bristol (Puzzlair-4D and Fathom Escape)! I wonder who would like to try this out with me?

• Last weekend we went to see an exhibition by Richard Long at the Arnolfini in Bristol (photo above) – I first saw one of his exhibitions in St Andrews in 1997 and his work has always stuck with me. Definitely worth checking out and it’s free entry!

• I recently rediscovered Kerstin Rodgers’ blog and alter ego ‘Ms Marmite Lover’. I love the way she writes about the places she visits – blending a whirlwind of sensory impressions with contextual information and her personal reactions, all delivered in a matter-of-fact tone – evocative but not gushing. It’s exactly what I need to get enthusiastic about travel.

“A decline in clothing standards may be accompanied by a decline in self respect and a consequent slackness of the mind.”

– Memo from the Women’s Group on Public Welfare regarding the Make [Do] and Mend campaign, as displayed at the Imperial War Museum London ‘Fashion on the Ration’ exhibition, which is on till the end of the month. I visited earlier this week with my Mum – a rare chance to get away.

One of my favourite types of blog posts to read is a round-up of links and stories from around the web. Not only is it a great way to find new and useful things to read, but it also means I’ll be able to find the links to those interesting articles later on! With that in mind, here are some items I found interesting this month:

“I want to look back and see a life that was full of love and adventure and travel and experience and compassion. And the only way to get to the end of my life and see that, is by living those things now.”

There’s a meme going round Facebook at the moment, where people share 7 random facts about themselves that friends may or may not know. I’ve learned some pretty interesting things about my friends, but I found it incredibly difficult to come up with my own list. One of my seven should probably be overthinking things! Here’s the list I eventually came up with:

I never wear black socks (mostly bright stripes).

I’m good at spotting signs and instructions in unfamiliar places.

I once accidentally dyed my hair pink (I was aiming for red).

I have never owned a car, although I do have a license.

I was in holiday in Thailand when the airport was occupied by anti-government protesters and we got stuck in Bangkok for an extra week (the Thai government were amazing and gave all stranded tourists vouchers for accommodation and food!)

I’m addicted to coffee (like, seriously, I get headaches if I don’t have it).

There’s something you should know: detoxing – the idea that you can flush your system of impurities and leave your organs squeaky clean and raring to go – is a scam. It’s a pseudo-medical concept designed to sell you things.

Deep down, I think we all know that there are no short-cuts. But eating healthily, taking alcohol in moderation, getting some exercise and drinking plenty of water all sound so boring! So we’re attracted to the magic pill or elixir or cream that claims to do the job for us in half the time – especially in the run up to the Christmas party season.

My party prep this year involves swapping fatty lunch time sandwiches for vegetable soups and trying to be sensible about alcohol – for instance actually ordering the glass of water with every alcoholic drink instead of just thinking about it!